An Overview of CompTIA Certification Programs

High-tech is often associated with computers or information technology (IT). IT has transformed the way we live and the way we conduct businesses. A well-established certification program is often the indication of maturity of an industry or profession. The programs utilize standard tests to exam the knowledge and level of expertise of the professionals . CompTIA certifications are one of such certification programs for the information technology industry. CompTIA certifications are provided by The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) - a non-profit trade association founded in 1982. Many of ComPTIA certification exams are computer-based and are composed of multiple choice questions.


A+
The A+ certification demonstrates the knowledge and understanding of computer hardware and operating systems. It is primarily designed for qualification of a computer technician though many organization utilize the A+ certification training to help their employee to acquire the basic knowledge of computer hardware and operating systems. The actual certification includes the A+ Hardware Exam and the A+ Operating System Technologies Exam, which focuses exclusively on Microsoft operating systems. The A+ exam is designed for IT professionals who have about a year of hands-on experience.

Network+
Network+ certification is designed for network technicians to test and demonstrates skill and understanding of network hardware, installation, and troubleshooting in general. Network+ certification is not vendor specific. Besides Network+ certification, network technicians further acquire vendor specific certification, such as to Microsoft certifications and Cisco certifications.

Server+
CompTIA Server+ certification demonstrate the competency of server-specific hardware and operating systems skills. A+/Server+ certification focus on the general knowledge of various servers while the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification, of course, test the knowledge of Microsoft products - NT server, SQLServer or Information server for web publishing.

Security+
Security+ certification focus on security aspect of information technology, such computer security and network security.

Linux+
As the Open Source operation system gains the popularity and wide acceptance, CompTIA offers Linux+ certification. Unlike other CompTIA certifications which focus on general understanding of the subject, not on any vendor-specific products. Linux+ is product-specific, but not vendor-specific because the nature of open source software. The certification exam covers the installation, management, configuration, security, documentation, and hardware of Lunix.

The most-known ComPTIA certification is A+ certification for computer hardware and operating system. Many organizations simply utilize A+ training for general computer training. Other even less-known certifications from ComPTIA are HTI+ (Home Technology Integrator covers installation, integration and troubleshooting of automated home sub-systems; e-Biz+ certification covering basic knowledge of e-commerce, CTT+ certification for training professionals, and CDIA+ certification for document management and enterprise content management.